Massachusetts: Adult Non-Conviction Arrests (MA-NC-1)

Records of a case will be sealed by the court and probation officials upon a no bill returned by the grand jury. ALM GL ch. 276, § 100C.

Record Detail(s)

Charges resolved in favor of defendant

Previous Conviction Disqualifying

No statutory language

Mandatory / Discretionary

Mandatory

Hearing

No statutory language

Clearance Process

Automatic

Remedy

Seal

Ineligible Category or Citation

There is no statutory language regarding ineligible offenses.

Procedure General

The procedure is automatic. For the specific procedure, see ALM GL ch. 276, § 100C.

Fees

There is no fee.

Effect

Sealed records will not disqualify the person from public service or employment by the state. The person can tell prospective employers they have no criminal record, and court officials report that no record exists. The sealed record is not admissible and cannot be used in court or most other proceedings, though law enforcement retains access to sealed records. ALM GL ch. 276, §§ 100A, 100C, 100D.

Waiting Periods

There is no waiting period.

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